Top 8 Rare Vacation Spots

by Lerako on Sep 28th, 2011

The Rare Newsletter isn’t the only new development we’ve been receiving near the end of the months past; as the nights begin earlier and the chills set in quicker, it’s all too apparent that September is out the door and winter will soon be upon us all. Rather than looking ahead to the drab winter months with snow shoveling, frostbite and heavy slush, we thought it would be a great time to reflect on the summer past with a nifty Top 8 list detailing the best Rare vacation spots that we wouldn’t mind spending a summer in, if they were recreated and in the real world with their polygons set to the correct proportions and scaled to the proper dimensions. Anything to keep the cold out really, it’s starting to look like Freezeezy Peak in chilly Canada up here…

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#8. WAVESIDE (KINECT SPORTS)

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What better motto could be had than “Take a break if you’re tired or sore” when it comes to lapping it up on the shores of Waveside? If you find yourself getting weary from sitting in the sun though, there’s plenty of Volleyball to play in Rare’s latest outing with Kinect Sports and the shouting cadence of which body part you’ll need to extend in the Body Ball event never get old! Picture it now; spread eagled on the cool sand, the rolling tide coming and going ashore, and some enthusiastic announcer crowing, “Hands!”, “Feet!”, “Head!”, it’s idealic! You won’t have to bother scouring the sands for a Snackbar kiosk either, as you’ll find an abundance of tropical fruit that’s been previously used on the Fruit Splatter event! Grab a freshly cracked watermelon or dust off your newly found pinapple and you’re set – just make sure not to catch any wayward bombs or you’ll cut your vacation short!

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#7. NUTTY ACRES (BANJO-KAZOOIE: NUTS & BOLTS)

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While much of Nut’s & Bolts alluded to past ventures and nostalgic atmosphere, there were a few key spots that breathed new life into the Xbox 360 title and offered up desirable destinations to the masses. Case in point, the first world of the decade spanning Bear and Bird duo: Nutty Acres. Is it a beach, or is it a farm? Well, both really, and none at all seeing as the entire location is a complete fabrication that L.O.G has managed to stitch together with spare parts and what looks like old couches. Still, you’ll manage to soak in some rays while you watch television on the large monitors that make up the sky! What’s more is that with the entire island surrounded by a large body of water, you’re able to create a large boat and ride it right into the synthetic “sky” and crash. It’s at this point that L.O.G’s booming voice announces that Banjo’s entire life has been a television show, though I might be confusing it with a Jim Carrey movie I saw once…

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#6. BREEGULL BEACH (BANJO-KAZOOIE: GRUNTY’S REVENGE)

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The Game Boy Advance saw the Bear and Bird to their first starring roles in Banjo-Kazooie: Grunty’s Revenge. After Kazooie finds herself kidnapped by the vile Gruntilda, Banjo is tasked with taking a time travel trip back to the ‘70’s where he unearths this tropical blast from the past. A sprawling shoreline, choral ridden reefs, and heady heights of the “Really Ancient Test of Iggy Twiggy” were only some of the attractions that Breegul Beach featured, tasking Banjo with a shell collecting spree, swimming with a dolphin, and skimming down a slippery chute spanning the entire island respectively. The beach is anything but deserted, offering up a score of uncouth characters with a seemingly endless list of things to do, though none will bat an eye if you kick back and relax to the sounds of the rolling tides and steel drum overture composed by Jamie Hughes.

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#5. TIMBER ISLAND (DIDDY KONG RACING)

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The party never stops when the sun doesn’t set, and this rings entirely true for the little overworld island washed out to sea in Diddy Kong Racing. If the perpetual sunlight is starting to bore you to tears, you can always head out for a race in Dino Domain, Snowflake Mountain, Sherbet Island and Dragon Forest to freshen things up – though the manic melody from Dave Wise will certainly get you off your backside if you’re too busy lolling about. As an added benefit, Timber Island also plays host to its own stereotypical Middle Eastern Elephant Genie who responds to your every beck and call, and will even act a tour guide when he has a little competitive race of his own around the scenic sights of the island. The action never lets up, whether you’re riding the waves on Hovercraft, tearing up a track with a Car, or sailing into that damn invisible wall out to sea with your Plane.

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#4. CARRINGTON VILLA (PERFECT DARK)

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After Daniel Carrington is taken hostage by rival corporation, dataDyne, Agent Joanna Dark is sent off to the secluded Carrington Villa to attempt a rescue; though one may question if her motives are strictly business or geared for pleasure when arriving on the scene of this private beachside resort. The lavish Villa situated in the center of the island overlooks a sandy shore side and an extended dock leads to a private lagoon; conveniently walled in to keep the neighbors out. If the beating sun starts to get to you – effects of global warming must be rather unforgiving by 2023 – there’s always the spanning subterranean cavern base hidden deep inside the center of the manor which features a cool tunnel interior, controls to start the large wind turbine outside and even a screaming Daniel Carrington tied up in the darkness. Clearly someone doesn’t appreciate the finer things in this perfect paradise…

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#3. DK ISLES (DONKEY KONG 64)

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While Donkey Kong Island has been featured previously in the earlier Donkey Kong Country series, Donkey Kong 64 marked the first instance that you could actually explore DK’s home up close and personal. Sandy shores, roaring waterfalls, floating swinging vines and sprigs of greenery can be found in plenty supply on DK Isles which finds itself in the middle of a seemingly infinite sea, untouched by the hands of civilization and unanswered to the tune of responsibility. This lonely island also played host the likes of Angry Aztec, Fungi Forest and Crystal Caves which will help shake things up if you go out looking for a change of pace as you ascend the Isles. The only possible drawback this locale features is an abundance of Gnawty beavers who have found their way onto the shores, and while a swift kick will prove fatal, their tittering chirps will linger on and on.

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#2. JOLLY ROGER’S LAGOON (BANJO-TOOIE)

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If you’ve grown bored with kicking back and perfecting your tan on the beach, you can always pay a visit to Jolly Roger’s Lagoon for a shopping spree about the local businesses. Rent a Waveracer from Captain Blubber and then send up some surf in an enclosed lagoon, or pay a visit to Pawno’s Emporium to score some useless tat as a souvenir (just like real vacation!), and then finish it all up with a hearty glass of Seaman Surprise or Toad in the Hole to be purchased at Jolly’s Bar while you dance a Jib Jig to the Jukebox at this Tavern Inn combo. Venture out to the docks in the center of the town once you’ve finished and then plunge into the inviting waters where you’ll sink to the depths of Atlantis. While you swim ’round this ancient and eternally peaceful lost civilization you’ll be sure to spot a plethora of curious sea creatures and salvage a fortune in sunken treasure!

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#1. TREASURE TROVE COVE (BANJO-KAZOOIE)

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If its untold riches that you desire on your vacation, skip out on the Lagoon in Tooie and instead pay a trip to Treasure Trove Cove, which as the title so implies will have you plundering a Pirate sized haul when it comes time to leave for home. This timeless location from Banjo-Kazooie features a beach so big it nearly eclipses the lighthouse capping the tip top heights of rocky terrain, an ascending isle of Shrapnel Mines with pools filled with bountiful booty and a stranded gold harbouring Pirate Ship in the center dubbed the Salty Hippo. Climb the mast of this anchored ark and you’ll manage to soar into the skies for an impressive tour from a Bear and Birds eye view, from here you’ll be able to seek the hidden treasure around the massive stone plinths that dot the shores – just be sure not to venture into the deep waters, or you’re liable to end up putting a sure damper on your getaway!/b

Categories: Top 5 Lists